Foldable shopping bag and carrying case

ABSTRACT

A reusable, foldable shopping bag having a body ( 1 ) of a predetermined shape, preferably rectangular, at least one handle ( 7 ) and a storage pocket ( 8 ) located on the external surface of the body ( 1 ). The body ( 1 ) and handles ( 7 ) are foldable/rollable so that they may be tucked inside the storage pocket ( 8 ) for easy storage. A carrying case ( 9 ) is also provided which may be used to store multiple foldable shopping bags. The carrying case may be sealed using a hook and loop fastener or other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, zippers or the like so as to permit a user to close the carrying case ( 9 ). Thus, a user may easily store the carrying case ( 9 ) housing the foldable shopping bags in a glove compartment, purse, pocket, etc. In the alternative, because the foldable shopping bag is tucked or folded into storage pocket ( 8 ), a single foldable shopping bag may be easily carried when folded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to shopping bags, particularly a reusable foldable shopping bag which may be collapsed and folded into a storage pocket located on the external surface of the foldable shopping bag for easy storage and then placed in a carrying case so that the user may conveniently store and carry multiple foldable shopping bags.

With the ever-increasing need and desire to be environmentally-friendly, grocery stores, department stores and the like are now offering canvas or other fabric bags for use in lieu of paper or plastic bags. However, these reusable bags are often too small for practical use and/or inconvenient to store and carry. Oftentimes customers simply forget to bring the reusable bags with them to the store or decide to leave the reusable bags at home, opting to use the more convenient paper or plastic bags provided by the store. This poses a problem not only because of the environmental concerns brought about by the use of disposable plastic bags but also because many towns and cities have started to limit or altogether ban the use of disposable plastic bags.

Thus, a need exists for a foldable reusable shopping bag which may be easily stored and carried while not in use thereby promoting its use over paper or plastic bags.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

Patent No. (U.S. unless Issue/Publication stated otherwise) Inventor Date  1. 2,532,778 Mintzes N/A Dec. 05, 1950  2. 4,085,873 Schweitzer N/A Apr. 25, 1978  3. 5,009,516 Geeck N/A Apr. 23, 1991  4. 5,131,513 Gossage N/A Jul. 21, 1992  5. 5,152,612 Shoemaker N/A Oct. 06, 1992  6. 5,399,020 Cheng H.T.P. International Mar. 21, 1995   Co., Ltd.  7. D358,024 Wilson N/A May 09, 1995  8. 5,472,280 Rittmaster Lasker Harris Dec. 05, 1995  9. D383,903 Kopel Koltov, Inc. Sep. 23, 1997 10. 2007/0108240 Berger N/A May 17, 2007

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objects of the present invention is to provide a foldable reusable shopping bag which:

-   -   has enough storage room to carry large amounts of items;     -   is convenient to carry when in use;     -   may be easily folded into its folded position;     -   is compact when folded into the collapsed position;     -   is convenient to store when not in use; and     -   may be stored and carried with other foldable shopping bags in a         carrying case.

The present invention accomplishes these and other objectives by providing a reusable foldable shopping bag having a body of a predetermined shape, preferably rectangular, handles and a storage pocket located on the external surface of the body. The body and handles are foldable so that they may be tucked inside the storage pocket for easy storage. A carrying case is also provided which may be used to store multiple foldable shopping bags. The carrying case may be sealed using a hook and loop fastening means such as Velcro or other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, zippers or the like so as to permit a user to close the carrying case. Thus, a user may easily store and transport the carrying case housing the foldable shopping bags in a glove compartment, purse, pocket, etc. making the foldable shopping bags conveniently available for use. In the alternative, because the foldable shopping bag is tucked or folded into the exterior pocket, a single bag may be easily carried when folded. In addition to housing the foldable shopping bag in its folded position, the exterior pocket may be used to house receipts when using the bag. Additional storage pockets may also be located on the interior or exterior surfaces of the foldable shopping bag for extra storage. The foldable shopping bag and carrying case may be made of nylon, canvas or any other fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the foldable shopping bag;

FIG. 2 is a perspective back view of the foldable shopping bag;

FIG. 3 is a perspective left side view of the foldable shopping bag;

FIG. 4 is a perspective right side view of the foldable shopping bag;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the foldable shopping bag in the folded and stored position; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of the carrying case.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

-   -   1. body, in general     -   2. bottom     -   3. front side     -   4. back side     -   5. right side     -   6. left side     -   7. handle     -   8. storage pocket     -   9. carrying case     -   10. pouch     -   11. flap     -   12. fastener

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a foldable shopping bag comprising a body 1 having a bottom 2, a front side 3, a back side 4, a right side 5 and a left side 6. Handles 7 used for carrying the the foldable shopping bag while in use are attached to the body 1 on the front side 3 and the back side 4. A storage pocket 8 is located on the external surface of the front side of the body.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the foldable shopping bag is not in use, the user may fold it into the folded position store it in the storage pocket 8 thereby making the foldable shopping bag compact and easy to carry while not in use and in its folded position.

Alternatively, when a user needs to carry or store multiple foldable storage bags he/she may use a carrying case 9, as shown in FIG. 7. The carrying case 9 comprises a pouch 10 and a flap 11 extending upward from the pouch. The flap 11 may be folded over the top of the pouch 10 so as to close the carrying case 9. A fastener 12 such as a hook and loop fastener or other fastening means such as snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. may be used in conjunction with the flap 11 to seal the carrying case 9.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

1. A foldable shopping bag comprising: a body having a bottom, a front side, a back side, a right side and a left side; at least one handle connected to the body; and at least one storage pocket located on the body for storing the foldable shopping bag in the folded position.
 2. The foldable shopping bag of claim 1 wherein: the storage pocket is located on the external surface of the body.
 3. The foldable shopping bag of claim 1 wherein: a handle is connected to the front side of the body; and a handle is connected to the back side of the body.
 4. The foldable shopping bag of claim 1 wherein: the foldable shopping bag is made of nylon.
 5. The foldable shopping bag of claim 1 wherein: the foldable shopping bag is made of canvas.
 6. The foldable shopping bag of claim 1 wherein: the foldable shopping bag is made of cloth.
 7. A carrying case comprising: a pouch; and a flap extending upward from the top of the pouch.
 8. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein: a fastening means for fastening the flap to the pouch when the flap is folded down over the outside of the pouch.
 9. The carrying case of claim 8 wherein: the fastening means is a hook and loop fastenor.
 10. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein: the carrying case is made of nylon.
 11. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein: the carrying case is made of canvas.
 12. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein: the carrying case is made of cloth.
 13. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein: at least one foldable shopping bag of claim 1 is stored in the carrying case. 